Window construction



Aug. 7, 1962 F. cooKs 3,047,913

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 28, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

FRANK Coons @ATTORNE Aug. 7, 1962 F. cooKs 3,047,913

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 28, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FRANK COOKS ATTORNEY.

Aug. 7, 1962 F. COOKS WINDOW CONSTRUCTION ORNEY' INVENTOR. FRANK C K Filed Jan. 28, 1959 Aug. 7, 1962 F. cooKs WINDOW CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 28, 1959 INVENTOR. FRANK CooKs ATTOR -53]- This invention relates to windows and more particularly to a window whereinno sash frames are employed.

The customary window construction employed in most residential structures and in many commercial buildings contains many undesirable structural characteristics, which render such windows highly unsatisfactory. For example, such window constructions are unnecessarily cumbersome, expensive to manufacture and are diiiicult to install in the wall of a building. Also, such windows are hard to clean and lack uniqueness and attractiveness in their appearance. Additionally, the problem of replacing broken panes of glass has never been solved satisfactorily. i I

An object of the present invention is to provide a window structure that is simple in construction, easy to install, and is attractive and unique in appearance.

A further object of the invention is toprovide a window structure involving inexpensive components, which is durable in construction, simple to clean, and which is highly effective in excluding rain, cold air, dust, or other undesirable substances in the atmosphere.

A further object of the invention is to provide a window structure wherein the glass panes thereof may be rigidly secured therein and readily removed therefrom it ates Patent assists I Patented A Z:

, form of the invention, the vertical stiles are eliminated,

thereby providing glass retaining openings of substantial horizontal length. Most of the aforedescribed glass openings or sections may be adapted for receiving screen inserts, storm window inserts, louvers, electric fans, and the like, in a manner enabling unimpeded free operation of the sliding panes of glass and enabling the unimpeded facile replacement of such glass as required.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective inside view of a window structure embodying the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the middle windowsection shown in the structure of FIG. 1, and

r showing certain respective parts in position prior to the assembly thereof;

without requiring the use of putty, such operation being effected interiorly of the window. v

A further object of the invention is to provide a window structure which may be readily equipped with suitable storm window and insect screen inserts which do not interfere with the operation of the window.

A further object of the invention is to provide a window structure wherein the window panes may be opened or closed without the use of sash cords and weights.

A further object of the invention is to provide a window structure which is" an improvement upon, and has certain inherent advantages over previously designed windows and is characterized by a novel and efi'icient arrangement of parts, easy manipulation and comparatively low cost of manufacture.

Briefly, the foregoing objects are accomplished by the provision of a window structure including a generally rectangular frame having therewithin a plurality of crossed interiitting horizontal and vertical'stiles or frame members forming openings or window sections in which the panes of glass are positioned. In one form of the invention, the panes of glass are disposed in such sections in a tilted position such that the lower edge of the glass is disposed outwardly of the upper edge thereof. The panesof glass are retained in such position by detachably secured retainers or retaining strips, thereby enabling quick and simple replacement of the glass without the use of putty. Additionally,this construction provides interior shelf space on all of the horizontal stiles or frame members.

Either the horizontal or vertical stiles may be provided with inwardly extending portions containing grooves in which the glass may'be slidably mounted in a vertical position for movement in either a horizontal orvertical direction'as the case may be. Such grooves may be lined with a friction material thereby enabling the glass to be retained in any of its slidable positions. The material also functions as an insulation to provide a window struc- The horizontal and vertical stiles are suitably notched FIG. 3-is an enlarged sectional partial view taken along the line of FIG. 1; 7

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional partial view taken along the line 4-4 of PEG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded View of the frame members comprising the structure of FIG. 1, and show ing such members in position prior to the assembly thereof, the view being exteriorly of the structure;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing a modification thereof; I

FIG. 7 is a perspective outside view of a window struc ture embodying a further modification of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an inside view of. the window structure shown in FIG. 7; 1

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line'99 of FIG; 7;

FIG. 10 is a reduced perspective exploded view of the frame members comprising the structure of FIG. 7 with some of the frame members thereof being removed for purposes of clarity, and showing the members in position prior to the assembly thereof; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective viewof a window structure embodying a modification of the structure shown. in FIG. 7.

The present invention is directed to a window structure that may be fabricated from standard stock items and to any suitable commercial size, and is adapted for direct placement as a complete unit in new or existing residential and commercial structures without the necessity of an additional frame, shims, filler strips, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a window structure of the invention installed in the wall W of a building and comprising, in the present instance, a rectangular frame F including the parallel side jambs or members in and 11 (FIG. 5), which are joined at the top and bottom, respectively, by the horizontal top header 12 and the bottom still member 13. Although a rectangular frame is shown and described herein, it will be understood that any suitably configured frame having a plurality of interconnected framemembers forming an enclosed boundary may be employed. Secured interiorly of the frame F are a plurality of crossed interfitting horizontal and vertical stiles or interior frame supporting members which divide the window structure into individual window sections in the form of openings or lights, there being two horizontal stiles 1.6 and 17 and two vertical stiles 18 and 19, for example, to form nine window sections as shown in FIG. 1. Such horizontal and vertical stiles have opposed coacting notches as at 21, 22 (FIG. 5),

of the stile 19. Such guide strips have coacting notches or recesses (for example, the coacting recesses 30 and 31 on the strips 26 and 27, respectively) which, in conjunction with the respective spaced triangular retainers 3-2 through 43, form grooves or channels for receiving panes of glass in final assembled position in a manner to be described.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated the central middle window section or light of the structure shown in FIG. 1. After the vertical guide strips 26 and 27 are positioned on the respective sides of the vertical stiles 18 and 19, a pane of glass G of predetermined size may be placed in position in the pocket or shoulder formed by the notches 30 and 31 (FIG. on the guide strips 26 and 27, respectively, in the manner shown in FIG. 2. In such position, the lower edge of the glass is received in a glass constraining meansincluding the groove 43' (FIG. 3) formed by the flanged strip molding 49, which is secured to, or may be formed on, the lower outer edge portion of the horizontal stile 17. The groove 48 may be lined with a suitable Weatherstrip material, if desired. The outer side of the stile 17 contains a beveled surface 56] so as to receive the pane of glass in a snug fit therewith in coaction with the groove 48 of the strip molding 49. The molding 49 constrains the pane of glass from downward movement. Additionally, the glass G is retained in such position by the triangular retainers dtl and 41 (FIG. 2), which are spaced from the respective guide strips and detachably secured (as, for example, by the screws 51) to the sides of the vertical stiles 19 and 18, respectively. Thus, the retainers 40 and 41, in coaction with the vertical guide strips 27 and 26, form the diagonal side grooves or tracks 52 and 53, respectively, for receiving the glass G in assembled position, with the width of the grooves being at least equal to the thickness of the glass. When the glass is in such assembled position, it is disposed in such diagonal tracks at an oblique angle to the plane of the frame F, as shown in FIG. 3, with the lower edge of the glass being disposed outwardly of the upper edge thereof. With this construction, substantial interior shelf space is provided in each of the window sections for the reception of vases, flower pots, figurines, and the like, such being a highly desirable feature in residential applications. Although the vertical guide strips and the triangular retainers are shown and described herein as the means for positioning the glass at an oblique angle, it will be understood that any suitable means may be employed. The width or transverse dimension of the horizontal stiles is, of course, sufficient to enable the panes of glass to be slanted outwardly or disposed at an angle to the vertical in the manner aforedescribed. Such angle may be slight or substantial. Additionally, the glass may be mounted not only at an angle whereby the lower edge of the glass is disposed outwardly of the upper edge thereof, but it may be mounted at an angle whereby a side edge of the glass is disposed outwardly of the other side edge thereof, or it may be mounted at an angle comprising a combination of the aforedescr-ibed angles. To prevent exposure of the top edge of the glass G when the same is in assembled position, a suitable molding strip 54 may be detachably secured to the upper edge of the horizontal stile 16 and over the upper edge of the glass, as shown in FIG. 3. The strip 54 may be formed of any suitable metallic or non-metallic material. The vertical molding strips 55 and 56 (FIG. 1) may then be detachably secured to the inner side of the stiles 19 and 18 to complete the assembly. Thus, to replace the glass G, it is only necessary to remove the strip 54 and the triangular retainers 40 and 41, insert the new pane of glass, and replace the retainers 40 and 41 and the strip 54 in assembled position again. The glass in all of the middle three sections and in the top three sections of the window structure of FIG. 1 may be replaced in this manner. l

In the bottom three window sections of the FIG. 1 structure, the panes of glass are adapted for sliding movement in a vertical plane in a manner now to be described. Referring to the bottom middle window section, the vertical stiles 18 and 19 have vertical slots or guideways formed on the inner edges thereof as shown, for example, at 60 in FIG. 4. Such slots, in coaction with the strip 56, form guideways for slidably receiving the vertical edges of the glass G2 therein, thereby enabling such glass to be displaced vertically. To facilitate moving the glass, the lower edge thereof may be provided wtih a strip 61 (FIG. 1) having one or more handles 62 secured thereto. The guideways 66 may be partially or completely lined with a suitable friction material to provide a predetermined frictional resistance to the vertical movement of the glass such that the same may be retained in any of its slidable positions. Such material functions additionally as a weather stripping medium. In each of the bottom three sections, ample room is provided for the reception of fans, vents, louvers, storm window and screen inserts, as desired, exteriorly of the glass, and the same may be simply and quickly installed therein. In fact, all of the window sections of the FIG. 1 structure may be adapted to receive any of such inserts and accessories.

Although in the window structure thus far described the window sections having vertically slidable panes of glass are shown as disposed in the bottom row of sections, it will be understood that such slidable window sections may be disposed elsewhere in the structure. Similarly, the structure may comprise one, two, or any suitable number of rows of the sections aforedescribed, and each of such rows may have one or more of any of the aforedescribed window sections therein.

When the frame F (with the window structure aforedescribed therein) is installed in final assembled position in the wall of a building, the finishing strips 64, 65 and 66 may be applied thereto interiorly of the window as shown in FIG. 1.

The structure shown in FIG. 6 is similar to that of FIG. 5, with the exception that the two horizontal stiles 16a and 17a present a clear surface over their entire length (there being no notches therein), and the two vertical stiles 18a and 19a contain recesses or notches 30a and 31a, respectively, for receiving the respective horizontal stiles. With this construction, a clear interior shelf is provided on each of the horizontal stiles for the entire length thereof.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 there is shown a modified window structure installed in the wall W2 of a building and comprising a frame F2 including the parallel side jambs 70 (FIG. 8) and 71 (FIG. 9), which are joined at the top by the horizontal to-p header 72 and at the bottom by a sill including an outer sill member 73 and an inner sill member 74. Within the frame F2, in the present instance, are a pair of spaced horizontal stiles 76 and 77. The stile 76 contains an inner rail portion 76:: and the stile 77 contains an inner rail portion 77a. These rails function to retain certain panes of glass in slidable assembled position in a manner to be described. Disposed on the inner sides of the side jambs 70' and 71 are preformed strips or members 83 (FIG. 8) and 84 (FIG. 10), which function to assist in the retention of louvers and ,panes of glass as will be hereinafter explained.

Between the upper stile 76 (FIG. 8) and the top header 72 are, in the present instance, a pair of spaced vertical bars or short vertical stiles 78 and 79 (FIG. 9), which function to divide the upper portion of the window structure into a row of. three individual window sections or lights as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Similarly, the lower portion of the window structure may be divided into a row of three individual window sections by the spaced vertical bars or short vertical stiles 8t} and 81 (FIG. 10), which are disposed between the stile 77 and the sill member 73.

After the vertical strips 83 and 84 are positioned on the respective inner sides of the side jambs 7t and 'il, a pane of glass G3 (FIG. 9) may be positioned in the pocket formed by the notches 86 (FIG. 8) and (PEG. 9) on the strips 8?) and 84. In this position, the lower edge of the glass is received in a groove 53 formed by the flanged strip molding 89, which is secured to the lower outer edge of the horizontal stile 77. The molding 89 may be formed of a suitable resilient weatherproofing material to form a weather-tight fit with the glass. The outer side or edge of the stile 77 contains a beveled surface 9% so as to receive the glass in a snug fit therewith in cooperation with the groove 88 of the molding 89. The glass G3 is securely retained in such position by the triangular retainers 92 (FIG. 8) and 93 (HS. 9), which are detchably secured to the respective inner sides of the side jambs 7t} and 71. Thus, the retainers 92 and 93, in coaction with the vertical strips 83 and 84, form the side grooves 94 (FIG. 7) and 95 (FIG. 9), respectively, for receiving the glass G3 in assembled position. As in the structure previously described, when the glass is in such assembled position, it is disposed at an angle to the vertical, with the lower edge of the glass disposed outwardly of the upper edge thereof. To prevent exposure of the top edge of the glass when the same is in assembled position, the U-shaped rail or molding strip 76a may be detachably secured to the inner side of the horizontal stile 76, such rail and the inner portion of the stile 76 being formed to provide a groove as in which the upper edge portion of the glass is disposed. The strip 76a may be detachably secured to the stile 7 6 by any suitable means. Thus, the strip 76a functions to retain the glass in position along with the triangular retainers. To replace the glass, it is only necessary to remove the rail 76a and the triangular retainers 92 and 93, insert the new pane of glass, and replace the retainers 92 and 93 and the rail 76a in assembled position again. Additionally, this construction provides a clear interior shelf space for the entire length and width of the stile 77.

In the bottom row of window sections in the modification shown in FIGS. 7, 3, 9, and 10, the glass is slidably mounted for horizontal movement in a vertical plane in each of such sections. More specifically, the rail 77a (FIG. 9) is provided with glass retaining slots or grooves 96 and 97 on its lower surface, and the inner sill member 74 is provided with similar glass retaining slots or grooves 98 and 99 on its upper surface. The pane of glass G4, for example, is adapted to be slidably received in the slots 96 and 98, as shown, thereby enabling sliding horizontal movement thereof in a vertical plane. Each of the window sections in the bottom row is provided with a separate pane of glass having a length equal to or greater than the length of the respective section. Thus, to open thawindow in any of such sections, it is only necessary to slide the respective pane of glass horizontally the desired distance. The glass of the two end sections may be disposed in the slots 96 and 93, while the glass in the middle section may be disposed in the slots 97 and 99. The side edges of the panes of glass may have a suitable strip of insulating material secured thereto to provide a weathertight fit with the adjacent pane of glass or with the adjacent side jamb as the case may be. To replace any of the panes of glass, all that is required is to remove the rail 77a, take out the old pane of glass, insert the new pane of glass, and replace the rail 77a.

The panes of glass in the top three sections of the structure shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 are installed in the same manner as aforedescribed with respect to the bottom three sections. However, in the top sections, the upper glass retaining grooves 1m and 1&2 (FIG. 9) are formed in the strip 1M, which is secured to the underside of the top header 72, while the lower glass retaining grooves we and lib? are formed in the stile 7b, as shown.

Any of the aforedescribed upper and lower window sections may be provided with the removable louvers 168, MP9 (FIG. 10) detachably mounted in such sections exteriorly of the glass as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 in any suitable manner. Although non-adjustable louvers are shown, adjustable louvers may be used. Additionally, each of the window sections may receive suitable storm window or screen inserts, or may be used to receive an air vent or the like. Such louvers, inserts or like accessories are installed exteriorly of the pane of glass in the section to avoid interfering with the operation thereof.

A further modification is shown in FIG. 11 wherein the lower portion of the window structure is provided with the louvers 112, while the upper portion contains a single pane of glass mounted at an angle to the vertical in a manner aforedescribed.

in any of the above structures, the exterior surface of the glass in any window section may be cleaned from the interior of the window structure by securing access to' such section through an adjacent section. For example, in the FIG. 8 structure, the middle window section may be cleaned by reaching through the top and bottom sections. Any top section may be cleaned by reaching through an adjacent top section. In the FIG. 1 structure, all of the sections with the exceptionof the middle section may be cleaned by reaching outwardly through the middle section, and such middle section may be cleaned by reaching through any of the other sections.

Although specific combinations of window sections or lights have been shown and described herein as comprising the window structure of the invention, it will be understood that such structure may comprise many different combinations of the sections herein described. For example, the structure of FIG. 8 may be changed to include one, two, or three of the clear middle sections shown therein, or it may include one, two, or more rows of the louvered sections, or any combination of the clear and louvered sections.

The advantages of the aforedescribed window construction are manyfold. The conventional sash weights and sash frame are eliminated. Considerable additional interior shelf space is provided. The panes of glass may be easily replaced without the use of putty. Both sides of the panes of glass may be cleaned interiorly of the window. The Window structure is formed of inexpensive components and the completed unit may be installed quickly and simply in the window opening in a building wall without the necessity of an additional frame or the like.

Although the window openings are shown and described herein as containing panes of glass, it will be understood that any suitable transparent, translucent, or light transmitting material may be used in place of glass.

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description, and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown or described, or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

' 1. A window structure comprising, a substantially vertical frame including a top header and a bottom sill member joined by a pair of side jambs to form a closed boundary, a plurality of interfitting horizontal and vertical stiles disposed within the frame and forming openings containing panes of light-transmitting material, vertical guide strips secured to the sides of the vertical stiles and to the inner sides of the side janibs and having recesses for receiving said panes of light-transmitting material in assembled position in the openings, whereby the lower edges of such panes are disposed outwardly of the upper edges thereof, and triangular retainers detachably secured in predetermined position on the sides of the vertical stiles and on the inner sides of the side jambs and coacting with the guide strips to retain the panes of material in said recesses in assembled position therein.

2. A window structure constructed in accordance with claim 1, wherein horizontal retaining strips are disposed over the top edge of said panes of material and are detachably secured in said openings to retain the panes of material in assembled position therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Jones June 30, Allmand Aug. 11, Smith May 7, Nelson Apr. 10, Jahr Apr. 19, Pohland et a1. May 20, Classon Mar. 17, Swenson Sept. 3,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain July 16, Germany Dec. 3, 

